Ringing in the ears and ear pain using pregabalin

[Figar]

Hello, I have another question re side-effects of pregabalin. I run a google search and found ringing in the ears and ear pain can be a side effect too, and I read quite a few horror stories that really didn't help 😅 pregabalin seems to be working to keep both my PLMD and RLS under control so I really would like this to work.

I'm not averse to more 'natural' treatments, but my iron levels are ok (108 last exam), coffee and alcohol don't seem to affect me so using them or not doesn't make a significant difference, CBD oil didn't help, THC helped with sleeping and maybe PLMD but not with RLS on the long run, didn't want to try DAs when offered those (for the reasons we know of).

Now that I experienced good sleep and am able to be still in the evenings whilst watching a movie I don't want to go back to suffering, it's horrible as we all know and sleep deprivation is costly itself.

Has anyone else experienced ear ringing and pain? Does that go away with time? The fatigue and tiredness seem to be subsiding now, which is great, so wondering the other potential side effects?

Thanks all!

[Hidden]

Good evening, Figar, and Happy New Year!

The delay in any responses thus far may be due to the distraction of the day's festivities; nonetheless, since more than several hours have elapsed since you first posted--and in the absence of any posted replies by others--please permit me to make an interim response which, though not directly on point, may give some respite from apprehension. With this understanding--and with the remainder of a glass of Bushmill Irish Whiskey in hand--here goes.

I was prescribed pregabalin in two distinct instances:

One year ago, I was prescribed pregabalin. It proved ineffective against RLS due to my prior augmentation on pramipexole and later pramipexole-discontinuance-induced DAWS (dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome). No ear ringing however. Several weeks ago, with pramipexole and DAWS behind me, another physician re-prescribed pregabalin. Prelminary results are positive. Again. no ear ringing. However ...

The mind is a funny thing. Last week, when I was "certain" that I had heart damage requiring open heart surgery (see lengthy posts elsewhere), I began hearing the every beat of my heart as I lay in my bed trying to go to sleep. Distraught, I researched. The results were alarming: "Hearing one's heartbeat while laying in bed is a discrete illness which may be a symptom of heart damage." The discrete illness even had a name: tinnitus pulsatile! Yikes! No doubt in my mind, I needed open heart surgery ASAP.

Then I went to my local hospital for the thoracic ultrasound suggested by my general practice physician following her detection of a heart murmur, confirmed by a stethoscope, EKG, and other exams earlier performed in her office. I was gripped by apprehension. Per replies to earlier posts made by SalemLake, I schmoozed the ultrasound tech (sonographer) and kept one eye on the monitor for any insights into the horrid condition of my heart. The ultrasound was completed after about an hour, and a full report by a cardiologist followed soon afterward. As had been predicted by SalemLake, I didn't need open heart surgery after all. And, though some heart damage had been detected, it was graded as "mild to moderate."

It may be that they symptoms that I experience (shortness of breath; tightness in chest) are a species of asthma rather than of heart damage. I will discuss further with my general practice doctor next week. But returning now to your question about ringing in the ears:

When I placed my head on my pillow on the evening following the report of the cardiologist, I no longer heard my heart beat! Hallalujah. I had been cured!

I have no doubt that you are experiencing and honestly reporting the symptoms that you described. Nonetheless, the mind sometimes makes cause and effect judgments that may be substantially tinged by our worst case scenario fears. Pending your further discussions with your doctor, to the extent you are able, it may be beneficial to try to distract yourself. In my case, I find that returning to my youth (1950's TV Westerns on TV; 1950's/1960's music on YouTube) works wonders.

Be well.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

I have the heartbeat in my ears and it concerned me at first too, but my doctor wasn't concerned. I still have it sometimes when I lay down to go to sleep. Interestingly as I get up several times during the night, I start getting it loud as I wake up, but after getting up using to bathroom and returning to bed it is gone. And I have tinnitus all day long and have had it as long as I can remember.

[Hidden in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi, SueJohnson, and Happy New Year. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Sorr to hear of your continuing tinnitus.

Though I no longer believe that I have "tinnitus pulsatile," I have noticed that, depending on how I position my head on my pillow (usually, when I lay on my side over my left shoulder), I can hear my heartbeat.

I do have a question for you, but since it's a bit off the main topic of this one, I'll post separately.

Be well.

[Munroist]

I have mild tinnitus which emerged after issues with my back which is apparently not uncommon, I have read more than once that tinnitus can start after a trauma or major life event. In my case I suspect that over sensitive nerves played a part.

I took pregabalin for a year and I seem to recall the tinnitus was worse and when I came off it I hoped that would reverse but it seemed to get even louder, but it’s very subjective so hard to be 100% sure.

I did also recently try cannabis oil to see if that helped my sleep, but it seemed to make no difference apart from the fact that as I became much more aware of my tinnitus or it became louder so I stopped it immediately. I did read that other people had the same experience although by no means everyone.

I find the best way to manage tinnitus is acceptance and distraction. I’m lucky mine is not too loud so other noise such as the telly, conversation, kettle boiling etc. all distract me and I rarely think about it. Certainly worrying about it and resisting it didn’t help.